Leh, Mar 07: The Union Territory of Ladakh on Saturday hosted its first Buyer-Seller Meet on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) in Leh, bringing growers, collectors, traders and institutional stakeholders onto a common platform to explore market opportunities and strengthen the region’s emerging medicinal plant sector.
The event was organised by the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB), UT Ladakh at the Conference Hall of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR). The meet aimed at facilitating direct interaction between producers and prospective buyers while promoting organised marketing channels for medicinal and aromatic plants found in the region.
Dr. Tashi Thinlas, Director Health Services/AYUSH and Chief Executive Officer of the State Medicinal Plant Board, UT Ladakh, attended the programme as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, he welcomed farmers and stakeholders and appreciated their participation in an initiative designed to foster cooperation across the medicinal plants value chain.
Representatives and officials from the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa (NISR), the National AYUSH Mission (NAM) and the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Palampur also attended the event.
The meet witnessed the participation of farmers, traders, processing units and Amchis who deliberated on the commercial prospects of locally available medicinal and aromatic plants. Discussions centred on quality parameters, market demand, sustainable harvesting practices and cultivation methods suitable for the region’s ecological conditions.
Participants also explored avenues to improve market access and develop stronger linkages between producers and buyers, which organisers believe will encourage cultivation and organised trade of medicinal plants across Ladakh.
More than 30 participants took part in the interaction, which facilitated exchanges between stakeholders and opened possibilities for future collaborations and business partnerships.
The State Medicinal Plant Board reiterated its commitment to supporting farmers and stakeholders involved in the medicinal and aromatic plants sector while working towards improving market linkages across the Union Territory.
The Board also expressed appreciation to the Director of the National Institute of Sowa Rigpa for providing the conference hall and extending support in hosting the programme.
